Despite rain, riders turn out in strong numbers for Bike Week

Although rain dampened much of Motorcycle Week, riders still roll into Weirs Beach during Laconia’s 90th bike week on Friday.
DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER

Rain dampened much of Motorcycle Week 2013, though Lakes Region businesses said motorcyclists turned out in strong numbers despite the rain, especially over the weekend.

Law enforcement authorities said at least two people were killed during the week.

As usual, there were numerous accidents, injuries and DWI arrests, area police said.

The week started with rain, and the pavement was wet through Thursday, with many hours of heavy downpours mixed in. Motorcyclists were not out on the roadways in large numbers early in the week, though motels and lodges in the area said their rooms were full, mostly with bikers. Area restaurants and bars said business was slow early on. "It was definitely slow going there for awhile, the weather was so touch-and-go," said Jake Quimby of Patrick's Pub and Eatery in Gilford. "Once the weather started to clear, it was good times again."

Steve Fields of Flurries Restaurant in Meredith said business was slow during the periods of heavy rain, "but it got much better as the week went on, and since then it's been back to normal."

Meredith Fire Department Capt. Jay Haines, himself a motorcyclist, said there were very few problems overall resulting from the tens of thousands of bikers attending this year's Bike Week.

"The turnout was very low, especially early in the week; we haven't seen the number of accidents and other problems we normally see," Haines said.

"The weather was obviously a big factor," he said. "I took the week off, and I couldn't ride much at all."

There were at least two motorcycle-related deaths during the week. On June 9 in Center Harbor, a 27-year-old Canaan man died in an apparent alcohol-related crash after his motorcycle left the road on a notoriously sharp turn on Route 3 near the junction of Waukewan Road. Police said Robert W. Curtis was pronounced dead at the scene of the 7:49 p.m. accident.

A Pembroke, Mass., man died Thursday morning in a crash on Interstate 93 near the entrance to the viewing area of the Old Man of the Mountain.

State police identified the motorcyclist as Robin Staines, 47. Police said he lost control of his motorcycle about 11:25 a.m. at the entrance to the viewing area as he traveled on the northbound side of the Franconia Notch State Parkway section of Interstate 93.

Just before 10 p.m. Saturday, a motorcyclist suffered a life-threatening head injury in an accident on Route 109 in Moultonborough, according to authorities. The biker, identified as Debra Ferrari, 48, of Vineland, N.J., was airlifted by DHART helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. Police in a release issued Monday morning said Ferrari crossed the double yellow line and struck a vehicle operated by David Bergeron, 32, of Somerville, Mass. Bergeron and his passenger were not injured, and police said speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash.